Maile’s really been into rocket ships lately (she wants to take one to China). I found this great Stomp Rocket online that looked like it would be perfect for her … boy, was I right!
It took Maile a little bit to figure out how to get things going …
… but once she did, man did we have fun!
Mommy got a perfect shot of Maile launching the rocket...
Go! Rocket! Go!
Love my new rocket - thank you Daddy!
(Click here for the first video.)
(Click here for the second video.)
Today was Maile’s 3rd birthday. Last night, Mommy put together the tent we got her and filled it with all her presents from the family. I have to admit we were so excited for her to open her presents, that we kind of didn’t mind if she woke up on the early side. Maile Girl didn’t disappoint, getting up at 6 AM on the dot.
Yay, presents!
3 years old is finally an age where Maile enjoys opening her presents and gets excited about each gift. Lots of “oh wow!” and “Mommy, look at this!” The theme this year was definitely encouraging Maile’s artistic side – painting, photography, chalk, play-doh and all types of fun ways to display her masterpieces. Thank you to everyone who sent gifts – Maile absolutely loved everything! And you’ll definitely be seeing appearances in the coming days and weeks…
Here’s a video of Maile Girl discovering her new tent filled with the goods – sorry so shaky!
(Click here for the video.)
Hawaii wasn’t all fun and games – Papa Cal put me to work washing his car. Actually, come to think of it, it was pretty fun so maybe Hawaii WAS all fun and games!
Yes, this bucket is almost bigger than me! Papa's car is pretty big so I needed to make sure I had enough soap and water!
Papa taught me a good carwash is all about attention to detail
Here I am in action:
I think my car wash technique is top notch, but let me know if you have any tips…
Papa Cal bought Maile and I squirt guns. (Dad note: if you thought super soakers were a major upgrade in the 90’s – these puppies are fully automatic, you just press the button is it goes!)
I couldn’t have been prouder with the way that Maile took to the water gun fight. She showed no fear and even better, mastered the art of the double cross as we both turned our attention to innocent bystander, Mommy!
(Click here for the video.)
Imagine my excitement when Christine said we were going to the Bon Festival. Only Bon I know is named Jon – but alas, Bon Jovi was not visiting Kauai. The Bon Festival is a buddhist tradition that honors the spirits of our ancestors. On Kauai, it consisted of some carnival-type games for the kids, some local plate food, taiko drumming and a big open circle that everyone danced around.
Maile dressed up all fancy in one of mommy's old kimonos. She felt like a princess and, boy, did she look the part!
Dad note: Not the first time Maile’s worn a kimono, but sure is fun to watch her grow into it!
Taking in the scene at the Bon Festival as the Taiko drummers prepare for their part of the show...
Mommy teaching Maile some of the dance moves...
Mommy was a rock star with the dancing – all the moves came right back to her. Maile Girl wasn’t quite ready this year – but she took it all in and is going to be ready to rock the Bon Festival next year!
(Click here for the video.)
Happy? Mad? No idea…
(Click here for the video.)
Maile Girl here. I’m not sure how many of you knew this, but my Grandma Jill is quite the gardener. Whenever I go to visit her in Boston she shows me all her vegetables and flowers. Daddy says she has quite the “green thumb” – her thumbs look normal colored to me though. Last weekend, Grandma asked me if I wanted to learn how to plant tomatoes! How cool is that? She showed me every step of the process…
First, I had to look all around the backyard for rocks to put in the bottom of the pots.
Then we filled the pots with dirt.
Then we paused to take a picture (Daddy, Daddy, always with the camera!)
And then, Grandma Jill, showed me how to plant the tomatoes in the dirt…
And then, voila!, all the plants were ready to grow. I told Grandma she needs to send me pictures so I can see how they do. She promised she would!
(Click here for the video.)
Maile Girl found this weird phone-like device with a cord(!) in Auntie Elyssa’s room and has been having a blast calling all her “friends” on it…
(Click here for the video.)
A few weeks back Maile discovered that you can put ice cream in “cones” vs. boring old bowls and she hasn’t looked back. Unfortunately, she likes to take her time with her ice cream and the cone doesn’t really lend itself to the casual ice cream eater. Ice cream outings have definitely become a bit … messy.
(NOTE: Having issues with Vimeo tonight – hopefully, the video will appear above, if not, try the link below.)
(Click here for the video.)
A good friend passed away four years ago tomorrow (Monday the 21st). He loved the Doors and a few days before he passed I was with him for an epic karaoke performance of “Roadhouse Blues” – the song will always be one of the ways I remember him. I decided to teach Maile the song tonight – she picked it up right away (I think because she really liked the “duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-ANAH” part … and I was bouncing her on my knee).
In any event, the whole thing cracked me up and definitely good to have some laughs on a day like today. I also hope that by posting here, Maile asks me for the back story one day – he’s a friend I look forward to telling her about.
(Click here for the video.)
